Before Game Two of the UAAP Season 81 Softball Finals, Adamson Lady Falcons head coach Ana Santiago gave her team a passionate pre-game talk.
“Sabi ko lang naman sa kanila, nagsimula kayo sa isang pangarap. Then, make a history of your own. Yung mga past, past na yun,” recalled the decorated tactician.
“Kung gusto niyo magpatuloy yung legacy, kayo ang bahala dito.”
For the past nine years, the Lady Falcons have dominated the UAAP diamond. Besides winning nine straight championships, Adamson has only lost a total of five games during that span.
And it’s because of the great pitchers Adamson has produced. The likes of Rizza Bernardino and Dimpo Benjamen lifted the Lady Falcons to great heights.
The past few years have been no different with Lyca Basa steering the wheel.
Though she might not have the same power as Bernardino and Benjamen, the product of Domingo Lacson National High School used her wit and determination to come out on top.
“Para sa akin, mas magaling sila sa akin. Ginagawa ko lang yung best ko,” the 22-year-old said about her predecessors.
“Alam ko na mas magaling sila sa akin.”
Determined to create her own name, Basa dominated the field all season long. Moreover, she put on a masterclass in her last Finals series, allowing just eight hits and four runs to lift Adamson to its ninth-straight championship.
“Para sa amin, it’s not all about awards. It’s about titles,” shared the UAAP Season 81 Softball Finals MVP and Best Pitcher.
Santiago could not help but be proud of the Bacolod-native, saying that her heart and passion is unmatched compared to the other players she handled.
“Masasabi ko, she’s one of the best pitchers na nagkaroon ako.
“Nandun si Lyca sa taas. Lahat naman sila kasi Top One,” Santiago quipped.
“Sobrang saya. Kasi kahit napapagalitan niya ako, kahit nada-down na ko paminsan-minsan, nandiyan pa rin siya. Lagi niya sinasabi na kaya ko yan,” added Basa.
Besides Basa, Adamson is set to lose the rest of its pitching staff in Baby Jane Raro, Princess Jurado, and Arlyn Bautista due to graduation.
Basa though will make sure that the next batch headed by wunderkind Ezra Jalandoni will continue their legacy.
“Good luck sa kanya. Nandito lang kami para sa kanila.”
